“S.O.S---FIRE!”

Thames Star, Volume LVII, Issue 15120, 5 January 1922, Page 8

“S.O.S---FIRE!”

WIRELESS AT SEA. (By Rupert M. Heath. R.N.R.) The s.s. is on fire 400 miles north of Capetown and H.M.S. Blaiik is hastening to her assistance. So runs the, telegram. Imagine the scenes —set hundreds of miles apart. The cruiser is proceeding placidly at “ economical speed,” as laid down in the Regulations. Suddenly two messengers emerge from the wireless room and dash in opposite directions—one to the captain, aft in his cabin, and the other to the officer of the watch on. the bridge. Jn under a minute the captain is on his way to the bridge, but before he reaches it the ship is quivering under the suddenly increased revolutions of her screws in response to the demand from the officer of the watch for “ full 6peed.” Black smoke is rolling out of the funnels, indicating forced draught, while the course has already been altered by the navigating officer in accordance with the position indicated by the s.s. in her “wireless.” As the cruiser speeds on her way, preparations to meet all possible contingencies are rapidly pressed on. The fires are lighted in the steamboats. and they and the big launches and cutters on the boat booms are prepared for lowering, wliile the boats at the davits are uncovered ana swung out.

In the sick hay the surgeons and their staff are busy with preparations for possible casualties, while the paymaster is opening up his store rooms and preparing blankets and spare clothing in case of need. All the boats, of course,. as _a matter of routine have their appointed officers and crews, and a surgeon and a party of sick-berth stewards are detailed to stand by to go in the picketboat if wanted. • .

Meantime, what is happening on board the burning ship ? This can only be guessed. The passenger will be warned to collect their belongings, and if the fire increases will be mustered in places of comparative safety and told off to bdats and rafts.

The ship’s officers and crew, with perhaps the help of male passengers, will be fighting the fire by every means in their power. Tons of water will be sucked up by the powerful pumps and poured into the hold, which will be sealed up as much as possible to prevent the fanning of the flames. Alarming though the experience must he, all will be heartened by the cheering messages of H.M.S. Blank’s wireless and the thought that she is speeding to their aid with her disciplined resources and promise of safety and succour.